A portrait of St. Maximilian Kolbe
St. Maximilian Kolbe
January 8, 1894 – August 14, 1941
Feast
August 14 · XX c.
Patron of
Drug addicts · Political prisoners · Families · Journalists · Pro-life movement · The chemically addicted · The Twentieth Century
Order
Priest / Franciscan / Martyr
Polish Conventual Franciscan friar who founded the Militia of the Immaculate and the vast Niepokalanów friary, publisher of one of Poland's largest Catholic periodicals. Imprisoned at Auschwitz in 1941, he volunteered to take the place of a married father chosen for the death-by-starvation cell, and after two weeks without food or water was killed by lethal injection. He is honored as the 'Martyr of Charity' and patron saint of our 'difficult century.'
Life & Times
Also known as: Maksymilian Maria Kolbe; Raymund Kolbe; Apostle of Consecration to Mary · Born: January 8, 1894 · Died: August 14, 1941 · From: Zduńska Wola, Poland; Rome; Niepokalanów; Nagasaki; Auschwitz.
Patronage
St. Maximilian Kolbe is invoked as the patron of drug addicts, political prisoners, families, journalists, pro-life movement, the chemically addicted, the twentieth century. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
“Only love creates.”— Conferences and writings to his Niepokalanów Friars (1930s); a phrase he used repeatedly
Shop St. Maximilian Kolbe Products
Devotional items honoring St. Maximilian Kolbe, from our Sancta Lumina collection and beyond.
Sterling Silver St. Maximilian Kolbe Medal | Medium | Engravable
$62.00
St. Maximilian Kolbe Tiny Saint Charm
$5.99
100-Pack - St Maximilian Kolbe Holy Card
$56.00
25-Pack - Healing Saints Prayer Card with Pendant - Saint Maximilian Kolbe- Patron Saint of Addictions
$43.00
Gold-Filled St. Maximilian Kolbe Pendant
$114.00
100-Pack - St Maximilian Kolbe Holy Card
$47.00
Sterling Silver St. Maximilian Kolbe Medal | Large | Engravable
$86.00
Pewter St. Maximilian Kolbe Medal | Medium | Engravable
$20.00
About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Maximilian Kolbe, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.